Photoshop’s ‘Modern User Interface’ Sucks (and Doesn’t Feel Modern)

Adobe's Photoshop 2026 redesign introduces a new Spectrum design language positioned as "modern," but detailed UX analysis reveals fundamental usability problems with focus management and input handling that violate basic interaction design principles. Dialog boxes fail to pre-focus fields or pre-select values, forcing users to reach for the mouse instead of maintaining keyboard workflow. The redesign represents a visual overhaul that introduces interaction regressions critical to professional editing workflows.